Environmental Engineering: Making an Impact

When I first heard about engineering I always associated it with building cars, designing buildings, as well as creating the next big tech device. It wasn’t until I was in high school that I first heard about environmental engineering, and I was quickly drawn to it. By definition, environmental engineering is “the branch of engineering that is concerned with protecting people from the effects of adverse environmental effects, such as pollution, as well as improving environmental quality.” To me environmental engineering is using math and science to produce new technologies and practices which will secure the safety of our environment for years to come.

My summer research group on our final presentation day at UC Berkeley!

Since being at USC I have taken courses that range from learning about the microscopic organisms that help decompose waste in wastewater treatment plants to learning about how wind circulation can affect the concentration of contaminants in the air. The range of classes that I have enrolled in has allowed me to fully understand how majoring in environmental engineering will help me to make a positive impact in the world.

I have had the opportunity to conduct research at UC Berkeley on the effects of sunlight on the deactivation of pathogens in unit process treatment wetlands as an environmental engineering major. This summer I will be interning at Ramboll-Environ and an Air Quality Associate intern where I will help to model the air pollution produced from various companies throughout the LA area.

We all want to change the world, and I know that being an environmental engineering major will help me do just that.